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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the 5 best player additions for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 08: Running back Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers stops short of the endzone on a 51-yard run against Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks to run down the clock late in the fourth quarter on December 8, 2013 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The play set up the winning field goal as the 49ers won 19-17. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 08: Running back Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers stops short of the endzone on a 51-yard run against Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks to run down the clock late in the fourth quarter on December 8, 2013 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The play set up the winning field goal as the 49ers won 19-17. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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CORVALLIS, OR – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver Dante Pettis

Team Need: 2

Projected Role: 4

Traditional Stats: 4

Analytical Stats: 4

Potential Impact: 3

San Francisco moved up to No. 44 overall in the NFL Draft to grab former Washington wideout Dante Pettis — arguably the best route runner in college football last season.

Route running is one of the inherent traits necessary for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and he’ll surely put Pettis’ own skills to use this season and beyond. But Pettis goes far above being just a solid receiving threat.

In college, Pettis set a record with nine punt returns for touchdowns, meaning he’ll give the 49ers added value on special teams. While the wide receiver position is a bit crowded for San Francisco, thus keeping the need low entering 2018, Pettis will at least be able to contribute in this key area right away.

Pettis saw plenty of action his last two years at Washington, averaging 58 receptions and 791.5 yards his junior and senior years. These aren’t the biggest numbers out there, but the added return abilities bump up the value in this category.

And his overall grade — 82.0, per Pro Football Focus — is surely nice to think about in a Shanahan-like offense:

Pettis won’t be a true No. 1 receiver his rookie season but has all the potential to develop into one in a season or two.

Cumulative Value: 3.4